humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

The Artists
Madeline looked up at the clock, it was already thirty minutes past closing but she had one more box of donations she had to sort through before she could lock-up the thrift store for the night.
By Fredrick Ochoa5 years ago in Humans
Moleskin
It was 4:30 in the afternoon, not dark yet, but the sun had lost its heat. I left the office early and went to the coffee shop around the corner. I had to clear my head. Also, it’s the only place in the city I could grab a bite for free. Jenna is the owner of the coffee shop and she treats me for the graphic and photography work I do for her on the side.
By Sanam Salehian5 years ago in Humans
Regarding the Luckiest and Strangest Day of My Life
We dropped acid on that Christmas morning. Despite being in the desert, it was frigid. Timmy woke us up to some awful Christmas song that I refuse to remember the name of. As my crusty eyes blurred into focus, I saw the strange scene. Seven vagabonds sharing a dilapidated shack on a nudist farm, many miles from the nearest town. The owners, Fox and Domina called it a farm, so we all did too. But,we said it to humor them. Nothing grew on their property apart from the mold surrounding the five gallon bucket that served as the communal toilet. The only toilet, in fact.
By Raisin Brazon5 years ago in Humans
The Little Black Book
Happiness or Havoc? As I walked out of work, everything seemed the same. Nothing special; every day was the same after all. I’d been living this life on repeat for years. I took a deep breath of the deeply polluted air and made my way up the alley.
By Katelin G.5 years ago in Humans
Little Black Book
A black book greeted her upon opening the door. She had no recollection of purchasing it or of dropping it on the floor. Her face contorted, puzzled. No one else had a key to her home.
By Cindy Ramos 5 years ago in Humans
Tainted Legacy
William Mara fidgeted with the key in his hand, half listening to his father’s lawyer. All he could think about was what might be in the safety deposit box that the key would open, and why his father had kept it secret for so long.
By Antonella Di Minni5 years ago in Humans
Trash
Scrupulously, ridiculously honest—that was Mary. A reaction to the way she was raised: her mother’s picaresque embellishments, her sister’s history of insurance fraud. She arrived at the threshold of adult life with a visceral horror of falsehood, exaggeration, misleading or noncommittal statements. No cutting a corner, shaving an edge, downplaying or soft-pedaling could be tolerated.
By Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin5 years ago in Humans
I See You
To the woman in my line, two buggies back, wearing a mask and smiling with your eyes — I see you. Thank you for waiting while I wipe down the register. I know it adds aggravation to an already-tedious day.
By Alyson Kate Long5 years ago in Humans
The Benefactor
It was a most ordinary start to what would be the least ordinary day of Billy Rankin's life. He took his toast with his usual honey and butter, tore yesterday's page off his A Day in History calendar, revealing a headline from July 11, 1924 which read:
By Ryan Bingham5 years ago in Humans
The Hemmed Page
It always seemed to be the invisible things he gravitated to. The details we don’t notice or care for. He loved them. The one blade of grass breaching through a crack on the side walk, the misshaped gummy bears, the heart shaped rocks that lay on the river bed. Mama always said,”one day, you’ll find something that will change the world”. His eyes would fill with hope.
By Ferrin Jensen5 years ago in Humans
Good Work
Sam walked out of the bathroom and stretched. “I’ll be right out here when you’re done Mrs.Greenhaus.” Looking up, she wondered ‘If this is supposed to be their home, why do they insist on having these harsh fluorescent lights in every room?’ She walked over to the bed and began straightening the covers. A bright crocheted blanket was rested on top. It was a beautiful mosaic of color, and a last remnant of Mrs.Greenhaus’s once agile fingers. “I’m done, Sam.” Mrs.Greenhaus called from the bathroom.
By Anna 5 years ago in Humans
Jailbreak
As usual, Sasha runs away before dawn. She forces her eyes open at the sound of the vibrating alarm clutched under her stomach and stares hazily at the darkness of her room. The moon is still silhouetted in the sky outside as she slides to the edge of her bed, listening for any sound from her parents’ room.
By Raistlin Allen5 years ago in Humans